Webber: Wasn't worth finishing

[Dare]

From Planet F1

A few points wasn't worth it?How many title races are decided
by a few points?Is Webber admitting the car doesn't have it this year




Mark Webber says attempting to finish Sunday's Italian GP on his shot Pirelli tyres was not worth the "couple of points" he would have scored.

The Australian had been on track for a handful of points when, with four laps to go, his worn rear tyres resulted in a massive moment for him at the Ascari chicane.

Webber dropped down to tenth before opting to make his way back to the pits, calling it quits.

"At the end I had no rear tyres left - I was obviously pushing hard," he told the BBC. "And for the sake of a couple of points I could have not pushed as hard.

"The rear tyres were completely finished though."

However, it wasn't just Webber who had a bad day at the office as his team-mate Sebastian Vettel retired earlier.

As such, Sunday's 53-lap race was Red Bull's first in 34 in which they did not score a single World Championship point.

"It was a poor day for us as a team, I'm not sure the last time it happened. We've had a few technical issues and we put ourselves on the back-foot today."

[David]

His tyres were completely shot, you could see the massive flat spot as they pushed the car into the garage, he probably wouldn't have got a result if he had continued with rubber in that state. 

[Willy]

Kimi would have pushed on.

[Scott]

Kimi would have pushed on.

No kidding.  Webber's moment at Ascari was because he hit the kerb, not because his tires were shot.  But after the spin, you're right David, that one front tire had a massive flat spot.  I can only imagine all 4 were the same.

[F1fanaticBD]

Remember once when almost brought a win for Mclaren, while he was penalized for engine changes. That was one of the ride from Kimi I wish to see over and over again.

Well Webber could not have got the points I guess after the pit-stops, so he is just making petty talks. You people at RBR wouldn't admit your failure do you? Well moment of history or memory check for you, you lost the 2010 title just because of few points..

[cosworth151]

As bad as those flat spots looked, that car must have been like racing on a washboard. It was not going to score points. IMO, Mark did the right thing to park it and not risk further damage to the car.

[F1fanaticBD]

As bad as those flat spots looked, that car must have been like racing on a washboard. It was not going to score points. IMO, Mark did the right thing to park it and not risk further damage to the car.

A very sensible thing, but talking that he didn't care about point is not sensible at all.. In fact stupid..

[John S]

I'm sure Mark's remarks were about how hard he was having to push on his older set of tyres, before his spin, with Rosberg charging at him on fresher rubber, and not about finishing on his damaged set.

Read in that context it shows mark is indeed aware that one or two points can decide the WDC or the constructors titles. He's simply ruing the fact that by having no choice but to push so hard to try to keep points his tyres were not up to the job, let him down with the spin, which finished any chance of even a single point.  I feel the author of the piece has, intentionally or not, added ambiguity where none exists.

[Jericoke]

I agree with Webber on this, there is no reason for a top driver/team to keep racing when the possibilit of points is gone, and the penalty for replacing an engine/transmission is so high.

Save the parts, and hope the fans don't notice.

[Alianora La Canta]

It's not worth gaining 2 points in Italy if you lose 10-25 at Singapore due to the gearbox failing (lower end if it's the "5-place penalty" that gets invoked, anything up to the top end if it fails in-race). By not finishing the race, Mark can change it. Alternators are part of the powertrain, just as gearboxes are, and it is well known that Red Bull is changing the alternator for next race. Perhaps Mark simply wishes to give himself the best chance of finishing Singapore by ensuring that his gearbox isn't carrying damage from a known dodgy alternator? Especially since this also means the large amount of work done in Belgium won't be on the new gearbox either?

Kimi would have carried on regardless, taken the DNF next race and briefly wondered why he was well down in the points compared to where he should have been. Remember also that Japan 2005 (the example to which F1FanaticBD alludes) happened because the engine failure happened in practise. The one time that year gradual problems leading to retirement occurred in the race was Nurburgring. There, Kimi could have pitted at any time in about 20 laps and got at least 3rd, possibly 2nd. There was no way the tyre was going to stay functional for the whole 20 laps and Webber would have known that. Raikkonen nearly managed it - but the emphasis is on nearly, and he lost 10 points. Had he been sensible, he would have been a much stronger contender for the title.

[F1fanaticBD]

I agree with Alia, as well as with others, it is sensible and logical to have stopped, and not fight for the point, or there is no point of gaining one, to save the engine as well as the gear-box, plus a scope to change the gear box along with a faulty alternator in the power train.. I have never disagreed, but there is something in my heart feels its not right. Logic or any other factor just could not get that uneasy feeling go away.. Perhaps I am being foolish, but could not tame the racing heart..